High gasoline prices could have a silver lining, study says: slimmer Americans

NEW YORK - Higher US gasoline prices may slim more than just wallets, according to a study from Washington University in St. Louis.

Entitled "A Silver Lining? The Connection between Gas Prices and Obesity," the study found that an additional $1 per gallon in real gasoline prices would reduce US obesity by 15 percent after five years.

The report, written by Charles Courtemanche for his doctoral dissertation in health economics, found that 13 percent of the rise in obesity between 1979 and 2004 can be attributed to falling pump prices. Gas hit a low of less than $1.50 per gallon in 2000 before moving back to a record high of $3.22 in May 2007.

Higher gasoline prices can reduce obesity by leading people to walk or cycle instead of drive and eat leaner food at home instead of rich food at restaurants.

Courtemanche said he became interested in the link after rising gasoline prices made him think about eschewing his car for public transport. He figured he would get an extra 30 minutes of exercise per day by walking to and from the Metro station.

Obesity has been considered to be a factor in as many as 112,000 deaths annually.

US health costs related to obesity are estimated at $117 billion per year. Studies sponsored by the government have linked it to high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.